NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) on Tuesday, beginning their journey home after spending 286 days in space. Their mission, originally planned as an eight-day test flight aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, was extended due to multiple technical issues.

Williams and Wilmore launched on June 5, 2024, as part of the first crewed flight of the Starliner. However, shortly after arriving at the ISS, engineers identified several serious problems with the spacecraft, including helium leaks and propulsion malfunctions, making the Starliner unsafe for their return. At one point, the astronauts also heard strange sounds coming from the spacecraft while it was docked to the ISS.

By September 2024, NASA decided to send the Starliner back to Earth without crew to free up docking space for other missions, leaving Williams and Wilmore stranded on the ISS. During their extended stay, the astronauts played a key role in advancing scientific research, participating in over 150 experiments across various fields.

Despite the unexpected delay, the astronauts adapted to life in microgravity and stayed engaged in ISS operations. Plans for their eventual return were made, and NASA arranged for them to return on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft as part of the Crew-9 mission. This plan depended on the arrival of the Crew-10 mission, which successfully docked at the ISS on March 17, 2025. The Crew-10 team, consisting of four astronauts, will now take over operations from Williams and Wilmore.

The astronauts’ splashdown is expected off the coast of Florida later tonight. After nearly nine months in space, Williams and Wilmore will face the challenges of readjusting to Earth’s gravity—a significant transition after such an extended mission.

As they prepare to return home, both astronauts reflect on their unique space journey, marking a remarkable chapter in NASA’s ongoing exploration efforts.